Mission Statement

Adele Seronde, Founder and President Emeritus of Gardens for Humanity.  A visionary, poet and painter, Adele’s passion for life and people directed her to bring some art form to each garden we’ve created.

Richard Sidy, M. Ed., President, has lived and gardened in Sedona since 1982. He is an educator, writer and community activist. Richard served in the Peace Corps in rural community development from 1969 – 1971 in the West African nation of the Ivory Coast. He worked in the Los Angeles City Volunteer Corps establishing community gardens and food co-ops. Richard advocates sustainable education through writing and building community collaboration around the issues of food security, local economic development, and environmental education.

Alex Rovang, Vice-President, has been the Director of Education and Community Outreach for the last two years at Sedona Recycles teaching schools and other community organizations to reduce waste, recycle and become more sustainable.  Alex is also a member of the City of Sedona Sustainability Commission. A Master Gardener, he has worked with people of all ages to educate about subjects ranging from gardening to composting. He is also an artist and owner of Seven Elements Studios and ties art and style into all pursuits and activities.

Jan Wind, Treasurer, earned her B.S. in Limnology and a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Central Florida.  Seeking to mend the planet and all beings through the binding of hearts, minds and spirits she created her business, Sedona Earth and Wind LLC.

Debra Emmanuelle, Secretary, is currently the Executive Director of Green Papillon, where she combines her passion for local food securty, education, spiritual wisdom, nature and community. Before moving to Sedona in 2008, she taught both public and private schools as well as adult education and community education classes in Maine. Between 1984 and 2006, she co-founded and co-facilitated a nursery school, a healing center and a spiritual retreat center.

Rose Marie Licher, a Sedona resident for the past twenty seven years, is a founding board member of Gardens for Humanity and Treasurer Emeritus.  Though raised in the city (Wichita, Kansas), summers on her grandparents farm helped her appreciate farming and the natural world. She earned a B.S. from Oklahoma University and her Master’s from MIT.

Paul Reinshagen is an avid gardener, outdoorsman and family man. Currently he is the Market Merchandise Manager for ProBuild building supplies in the Western states. In this capacity at ProBuild he is promoting Green Building and sourcing local and sustainable products for the stores, organizing workshops in garden and sustainability techniques, and developing a supply network of local, organic producers. Previously he was event planner for REI Outdoor Gear, and worked on sponsored projects and events including the development of the Arizona Trail. He actively supports connecting with community and non-profits through environmental service.

Ryan Matson holds a B.S. in Community Development and Sustainability from PSU (Portland State University). A product of Seven Corners in SE Portland, Ryan served on HAND Neighborhood Association, the Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Coalition, the Council of the City Repair Project, involved with many student groups, and more. Awarded a Green Investment Fund grant in 2005 by the City of Portland, he co-championed a natural building installation in the Park Blocks by PSU. In 2009, Ryan moved to Cornville, becoming Director for non-profit outdoor art installation, Eliphante, Ltd., joining the Oak Creek Watershed Council, and Co-founding the Slow Water Team in 2011.

To accomplish our goals we have three committees: Public Gardens, Education, and Agricultural Renaissance. These committees are responsible for initiating projects in the community and bringing together resources to develop gardens of beauty, food production and sustainable environmental practices.

Read our inspiring story about past projects, our awards, and our vision.

Find out more about our current events and news.